Cigar perforating mechanism



March 31, 1942. C E, zA s 2,277,741

CIGAR PERFORATING MECHANISM Filed March 5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Imventor @Ymwme E. 'ZewFo/ J'Gttomegs arch 31, 1942. C z s CIGAR PERFORATING MECHANISM Filed March 5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 31, 1942. c, E. ZARFOS CIGAR PERFORATING MECHANISM Filed March 5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Zhmentor Patented Mar. 31, 1942 'UNlTED STATES OFFICE CIGAR PERFORATIN G MECHANISM Jersey Application March 5, 1936, Serial No. 67,367

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a cigar punching or perforating mechanism designed to produce a neat, accurate hole in the end of a cigar, without disrupting the filler or detracting from the satisfactory, salable appearance of the product.

More particularly, it is the purpose of the invention to provide a mechanical device which may comprise an unitary attachment for and operate in conjunction with a cigar banding or similar machine, without modifying the normal working parts of the machine.

Other objects and purposes of the invention will appear from the following specification when it is read in connection with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of cigar punching mechanism embodying this invention, showing in dotted lines the outline of a portion of one type of machine structure in which it may be incorporated;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the actuating mechanism for the cigar clamping device, and the means for blowing away the cigar cuttings;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the punching mechanism and the operating means for the same;

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and '7 are detail perspective views of various elements of the punching mechanism; and

Figs. 8, 9 and are side views, partially in section, showing the sequence of operation of the punching mechanism and also showing the actuating means for this mechanism.

Briefly stated, the punching mechanism which will now be described comprises means for clamping a cigar in fixed position on a suitable support or table, locating or guiding means movable toward and away from the cigar, and punching mechanism movable into and out of cutting relation with the cigar. Also associated with the locating means and mounted on the frame of the machine is a device for cleaning the tobacco cuttings out of the punch as it is retracted from the cigar, and means are provided for blowing away the cuttings removed from the punch by the cleaning device.

For purposes of this description and by way of illustration, it will be assumed that the punching mechanism is associated with and attached to a cigar banding or similar machine in such a manner that the punching of the cigar may constitute one step in a sequence of operations .upon the cigar.

The machine with which the attachment is used may comprise a suitable table designated as I 2 in Fig. 1 of the drawings, along which cigars may be fed, by any suitable mechanism known in the art, in the direction indicated by the arrow. As a cigar l4 traveling along the table 12 reaches a position in front of the punching mechanism, it is clamped in fixed relation to such mechanism by a clamping finger l3. This finger is constructed and arranged to be raised and lowered in timed relation with the operation of the punching mechanism. As here shown, the operating mechanism for finger It comprises a supporting block I5 attached to and reciprocable with a stud l6 pivotally attached to a bracket IT. This bracket is carried by a swinging lever l8 pivoted to the table l2 at l9 and biased in a downward direction in which the clamping finger l3 engages the cigar by a spring 2|.

Actuation of the lever l8 to overcome the bias of spring 2i and to lift the clamping finger I 3, is caused by a cam 22 operating on a roller 23 rotatably attached to lever 18. It will be understood that the cam 22 is caused to operate from any suitable mechanism associated with the drive of the punching mechanism proper. A cam shaft 24 mounted in suitable bearings in the machine frame forms a driving connection between the cam 22 and other parts of the machine later to be described.

Attached to the machine frame and forming the major support for the locating and punching mechanism is a bracket 25 which may be suitably bolted to the machine frame through openings 20. This bracket has a vertical branch and a horizontal branch. The latter branch is slotted atv 32 and contains a longitudinal guideway 26 within which is confined by plates 21 attached to the bracket by screws 28, a movable slide 29. Attached to and depending from the slide 29 is a rack bar 3| adapted to move back and forth in the slot 32. The slide also carries a punch supporting tube 33 and a stop pin 34.

Rigidly attached to the tube 33 is a tubular punch 35 of circular cross section increasing in diameter from its outer free end to its inner supported end. The outer free end, designated 36, is cut off at an angle with respect to the body of the punch so that when the punch enters the filler of the cigar it will produce a .clean round perforation, without resulting in a ragged cut or otherwise defacing the cigar. In its retracted position, the punch 35 embraces a cleaning pin 31 which is mounted coaXially with the punch and is rigidly secured to the horizontal portion of the bracket 25 by a screw 38. The punch is capable of forward movement sufiicient to substantially clear the forward end of the cleaning pin 31 when it is in operative relation with the cigar.

Mounted upon the horizontal branch of bracket 25 near the forward end thereof is an upright member 39 secured in position by horizontal flanges ll carried by the body of the bracket and held by screws 42 which pass through the plates 2'1. The member 39 contains perforations 33 cooperating with a portion of the locating means, and other perforations d4 adapted to receive the ends of springs 45. The springs 45 connect the member. 39 with a movable plate 2-6 containing attaching openings 41. The plate 36 also contains openings 43 through which pass locator guide rods 39. These rods are secured in adjusted position with respect to plate 46 by lock nuts The locator guide rods 59 pass through the openings :33 in member 39 and also through openings in two other fixed guides 52, screwed to the forward end of bracket 25. Bridging the forward ends of the two guide rods tifi isa locator member 53 attached to the guide rods t!) by nuts 54 and having a cone-shaped head 55 adapted to contact with and to support the end of a cigar which has been placed in position for the punching operation. The head 55 contains a central opening through which the punch'35 passes in its forward travel into contact with the cigar. This head holds the cigar end in such a way as to assist the punch in producing a neat round hole.

The forward movement of the plate 46, and consequentlyof the locator, is limited by a pair of stops 56 secured to the plates?! and the horizontal branch of the bracket 25. These stops contain elongated slots 5'! whereby the stops may be adjusted forward and backward by means of screws 58. The adjustment of these stops and of the nuts 5i determines the extent of the reciprocating travel -of the locatorhead 55. This head is always biased in a forward directionby the springs 65. However, this biasing tendency is at times opposed by the rearward biasing tendency of another spring 59 attached to the rear end of the rack 3! at Si. This spring reacts between rack 3i and arm 82, the arm 62 forming a portion of a side frame member 63 of the attachment.

It will be observed that the upstanding pin '34 in slide 29 engages the plate when the slide is in its retracted position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. However, when this slide moves forward the springs 65 move the locator head until the plate 46 strikes the stops At this time, the cator head is in engagement with the forward end of the cigar Hi. Forward movement of the slide is positive through rack 3|, butis resisted by spring 59. Fnis movement continues until the forward end 36 of the punch enters the end of the cigar and completes the perforation to the desired depth.

Actuation of the slide 29 carrying the punch, and of the cam shaft 2 5, is brought about by a pinion 65 which may comprise a portion of a standard form of cigar banding machine. This pinion which is subjected to oscillatory movement meshes with another pinion 66 carried on a shaft 61 journaled in the bracket 83 at 68. Also secured to and rotatable with the shaft 6? is a gear segment 64 which meshes with rack 3i. Consequently, gear segment 64 is subjected to oscillatory movement as the pinions 65 and 88 are actuated. Segmentt l, therefore, causes periodic reciprocating movement of rack '3! opposed by spring 59, while the locator is advanced and returned by the combined action of springs and the movement of pin 34 on slide 29.

Inasmuch as the cuttings which fall from the punch aftereach punching operation would tend to accumulate and possibly interfere with the proper operation of the machine, it is desirable that some automatic imeans be provided for blowing away these cuttings or chips as they fall. Consequently, it becomes convenient to utilize the exhaust from the hand holding mechanism for this purpose when the attachment is employed in connection with a cigar banding machine.

In the usual banding machine, a pumping mechanism isoperated so as to produce a vacuum in a piping system, and this vacuum is utilized to hold the bands to a carrier head which transfers them from a hopper to a cigar. When the band is to be released, a valve is opened in the pipe line to break the vacuum and release the band. Mechanism of this general character is utilized in all sorts of banding and labeling mechanisms, hence specific description will not be necessary. It will be sufficient to say that when the valve is opened to break the vacuum, there is'a rush of air through the lines which are thus opened to atmosphere.

When the attachment of the present invention is applied to any machine which includes in its structure a pumping mechanism capable of furnishing a blast of air in timed relation to the movement of the punch, a mechanism such as that shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings may be utiliZed. As here shown, a pump 69 is adapted to be actuated in timed sequence with the operation of the punching mechanism through a cam ll carried on a shaft 72 which shaft also carries a bevel gear l3 meshing with a similar bevel gear 14 on cam shaft 24. Secured to the shaft 12 is a second cam '15 whichimparts reciprocatory movement to a gear sector 16 when the shaft 12 is driven. The sector 16 meshes with pinion B5 and causes it to oscillate in the manner just described.

It will be understood that the cams H and 15 will be so located on the shaft 12 that the exhaust valve of the system which is evacuated by the pump 69 will be so timed that when the punch-35 is retracted and cuttings fall on the table 2, a blast of air will be ejected through the end of pipe 11 to blow away the cuttings and keep the machine table free of scrap tobacco.

The showing of the pump 69 is madefor purposes of illustration only and the pipes attached to it may be connected to the operating portions of the machine in any suitable manner. In other words, for the purposesof this invention, it is merely suflicient to provide control means actuated in timed relation with the punch: 35 to cause a blast of air to be ejected at a proper time. The mechanism whereby this is accomplished-is not important so long as the proper sequence of operations is maintained.

The operation of the entire machine will be best understood by reference to l*ri s.8, 9-. and 10 of the drawings, where the full lines indicate movement of the parts toward the cigar, and the dotted lines indicate reverse. movement.

It will be assumed first that a cigar M ;has traversed the table 12 and isheld by finger 13 in proper operative relation to the punching mechanism as shown in Fig. 8. Att'his time, the rack 32 is held in its extreme rearward .position by the spring 59. Consequently, the pin 34 is in engagement with the plate 46, the cator head 55 is retracted from the cigar and the cleaning pin 31 projects through the punch 35.

As the pinion 65 starts to rotate in a clockwise direction, the gear segment 64 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction and the rack 3| moves to the left, to advance the plate 46 together with the slide 29 and the punch. Movement of the slide permits the locator to be advanced by springs 45 until plate 46 strikes the stops 56. At this time, the parts occupy the positions shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, and the locator head 55 embraces the end of the cigar to be punched. The forward end of the punch is then just leaving the forward end of the cleaning pin 31, the springs 45 are under substantially no tension, and the spring 59 is stretched.

Continued movement of the gear sector 64 forward actuates the rack 3| and moves the slide 29 to its extreme forward limit of travel, driving the punch 35 through the opening in the locator head 55 into the end of the cigar.

Fig 10 of the drawings shows the parts in their extreme forward limit of travel in which the spring 59 is stretched to the fullest possible extent. The pinion 65 now reverses its direction of rotation, to retract rack 3i and slide 29, and to withdraw the punch from the cigar. This retracting movement is caused by the sector G l while spring 59 takes up the lost motion between the teeth of the gear segment and the rack. The locator head 55 remains in contact with the cigar until the pin 34'. in its return travel engages the plate 46.

As the punch moves back from the cigar, the cleaning pin 37 commences its operation of removing the cuttings from the punch and this cleaning operation is completed as the punch is returned to the position shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The exhaust valve of the pneumatic system; will be operated so as to cause a blast of air to be ejected from the end of pipe H to blow away the chips or cuttings at the time when the parts of the punching mechanism occupy substantially the positions indicated in Fig. 8.

As soon as the punching mechanism is restored to the condition of Fig. 10, the cam 22 will be actuated to lift the finger l3 and release the cigar It so that another cigar can be moved into position ready to be punched as the punching mechanism again starts its cycle.

Mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention is capable of perforating a cigar quickly and neatly, without detracting from its appearance. The parts operate smoothly and all chips and cuttings are automatically removed from the machine table. The mechanism may be applied to standard types of machines by the mere addition of a few parts and without altering the structure or operation of those machines. Although the invention has been described as an attachment which can be applied to existing machines, it is obvious that, if desired, it may constitute a separate unit and as such will operate in the manner described.

Although only one form of punching mechanism has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes and modifications of the details may be made, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A cigar punching mechanism comprising a fiat imperforate support; means for holding a cigar'having a tapered end on said support, in cluding a substantially vertically movable clamping member, and means for moving said member to and from said support to clamp said cigar thereon; a punching device movable into and out of contact with the tapered end of said cigar; a locating means movable into and out of con-- tact with the cigar for positioning it while said punching device is operating on the cigar; and means for causing synchronized movement between said locating means and said punching means.

2. A cigar perforating machine comprising an imperforate table for holding a cigar in horizontal laterally clamped position to be perforated; perforating means movable into and out of contact with the cigar; means movable into and. out of contact with the cigar for positioning and centering the same while it is being perforated; means cooperating with said perforating means for cleaning it during its return travel from the cigar; and means for causing timed relative movement between the centering and perforating means. I

3. An attachment for cigar machines, having a support and a driving element, said attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to said support; a reciprocable punching means mounted on said base in operative relation to said driving element; a locating means reciprocably mounted on said base; a cigar holding means including a substantially vertically movable clamping member disposed in operative relation to said punching and locating means for holding a cigar on said support for piercing, means for moving said member into and out of clamping engagement with a cigar positioned on said support; and means for causing said holding means to operate in timed relation to the movement of said other two means.

4. An attachment for cigar machines, having a support and an oscillatory driving element, said attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to said support; a reciprocable punching means mounted on said base in operative relation to said driving element; a locating means reciprocably mounted on said base; a cigar holding means disposed in operative relation to said punching and locating means; means for cleaning said punching means once during each cycle of its travel; and means for causing said holding means to operate in timed relation to the movements of said other two means.

5. An attachment for cigar machines, having a support and a driving element, said attachment comprising a base adapted to be secured to said support; a reciprocable punching means mounted on said base in operative relation to said driving element; a locating means reciprocably mounted on said base; a cigar holding means disposed in operative relation to said punching and locating means; means for cleaning said punching means once during each cycle of its travel; pneumatic means for removing from the machine support cuttings displaced from the punching means by said cleaning means; and means for causing properly timed sequential movement of all of said means.

6. A cigar perforating machine comprising a support; means for clamping a cigar on said support; a cup-shaped locator movable into and out of contact with one end of said cigar to position the same for the punching operation; a hollow punch; means for moving said punch into engagement with said cigar to perforate the same advancing said locator in movement of said slide; means carried by said when it is held by said locator, and then to retract it; and means for removing the tobacco from the punch as it is retracted from the cigar.

7. A cigar perforating machine comprising a support; means for clamping a cigar on said support; a cup-shaped locator movable into and out of contact with one end of said cigar to position the same for the punching operation; a hollow punch; means for moving said punch into engagement with said cigar to perforate the same when it is held by said locator, and then to retract it; means for removing the tobacco from the punch as it is retracted from the cigar; and means for removing the ejected tobacco from the support.

8. A cigar perforating machine comprising a support; a slide mounted for reciprocating movement on said support; rack and pinion means for actuating said slide; a punch on said slide; spring means for biasing said slide to one extreme position of travel; a cigar locator also reciprocable on said support; spring means for advancing said locator in timed relation to the movement of said slide; means carried by said slide for causing retraction of said locator; and means operating in timed relation to the movement of the slide and .locator for clamping a cigar in operative relation to said locator and said punch.

9. A cigar perforating machine comprising a support; a slide mounted for reciprocating movement on said support; rack and pinion means for actuating said slide; a punch on said slide; spring means for biasing said slide to one extreme position of travel; a cigar locator also reciprocable on said timed relation to the slide for causing retraction of said locator; means for clamping a cigar in operative relation to the locator and punch; and means for cleaning the punch once during each cycle of its movement.

10. A cigar perforating attachment for cigar banding machines having a supporting table and an oscillatory driving element, said attachment comprising a frame element secured to said table; a punching device reciprocably mounted on said element; rack means operatively con- .nected to said device and in driving relation with said oscillatory element; means for clamping a cigar on said table in the line of movement of said punching device; a locator mounted on said frame element and movable into contact with one end of a cigar to hold it while said punching device is perforating the cigar; and a device for removing the tobacco from the punching device .after it is withdrawn from the cigar following each punching operation.

support; spring means for a Y an oscillatory driving element, said attachment comprising a frame element secured to said table; a punching device reciprocably mounted on said element; rack means operatively connected to said device and in driving relation with said oscillatory element; means for clamping a cigar on said table in the line of movement of said punching device; a locator mounted on said frame elementand movable into contact with one end .of a cigar to hold it while said punching device is perforating the cigar; means for cleaning said punching device after each contact with a cigar; and pneumatic .means for blowing the tobacco removed from the cigar off said support.

12. A cigarperforating machine comprising a flat topped imperforate support; means cooperating with said support to hold a cigar thereon against undue displacement, and with one end of the cigar exposed, said means comprising a member movable in a substantially vertical direction to and from said support into and out of clamping contact with the cigar positioned thereon; a punch; a locator adapted to contact the cigar and position it with respect to the punch; and means for producing relative movement between the cigar and the punch when the cigar is positioned.

13. A cigar perforating machine comprising a reciprocable punch; a table across which cigars to be perforated move laterally in a direction substantially at right angles to the axis of the punch; lateral clamping means for the cigars; a locator movable into and out of contact with the end of a cigar to position the same for the punching operation; means for moving the punch into engagement with a cigar to perforate the same while it is held by said locator, and then to retract it; and means for removing the tobacco from the punch as it is retracted from the cigar.

14. A cigar perforating machine comprising means for supporting a cigar in horizontal position to be perforated, a clamping member constructed and arranged to engage and clamp said horizontally positioned cigar on said supporting means, and means for moving said member in a substantially vertical direction to and from clamping position; perforating means; means movable with respect to the cigar, for positioning the cigar with reference to the perforating means; and means for causing timed relative movement between said cigar clamping member and said perforating and positioning means.

CLARENCE EDWARD ZARFOS. 

